Empty Roads Empty Promises

Empty Roads, Empty Promises: The Forgotten Blockade of Razorback Mountain takes us back to the 1970s: a decade of 'mutton chop' sideburns, Skyhooks songs, protests and trucks rolling along the Hume Highway over Razorback Mountain. Truckies hauled food, livestock, fuel and everything else that kept Australia running. Even during the economically unsustainable times, owner-drivers kept rolling. That was until 5 pm on April 2nd, 1979 when five truck drivers barricaded the road, forcing all others to stop in what was labelled 'an act of civil insurrection'.

Like the Eureka Stockade of 1854 and the Shearers' Strike of 1891, it was not a rebellion for privileges - rather a stand for fairness. It was a demand for the removal of unfair, biased rules and regulations which discriminately forced honest truck drivers to pay a road user tax. It was a battle to stop the unjust incarceration of hard-working truckies.

This revealing book takes us behind closed doors and into private meetings. Anecdotes and memories of hardship, deception, larrikinism and camaraderie tell a quintessential Australian tale - the underdog taking on government and corporations. Members of the Razorback Committee, truck drivers, wives and media personalities share their recollections from across the ten tumultuous days. They give their thoughts on the still debated questions, 'Did they win?'

'Thank you for piecing together our recollections of the trials and tribulations of being a little bloke just trying to make a difference.' Barry 'Sleepy' Grimson

'This book is not only about the Razorback Blockade but about the many others that were set up around the nation in support. Kath's excellent research has delved into every nook and cranny to remind us of what can be achieved when unity prevails. Razorback remembers and so should we.' Denis Robertson, founder of Roadmaster Refrigerated Transport

Kath Gilbert has been recording the history of the Australian road transport industry and its workers since 2022. Her work can be found at the National Road Transport Museum and in Truckin' Life magazine.